Making the right moves to be properly set up with Medicare comes down to “when,” “what” and “who.”

When Should You Enroll in Your CT Medicare Insurance?

Enrolling in Medicare at Age 65

Important: If you wait until your actual birthday, you have probably waited too long. Your Medicare eligibility date is the first of the month you turn 65 or the month before if your birthday is the first of the month.

You have seven months to enroll without penalty. For most people I talk with, it is only the first three months of the window that matter. If you wait past the first three months, you will probably see a period of uncomfortable financial exposure.

There are penalties for not signing up for Medicare before the end of the fourth month after your eligibility date. You may not face any government penalties if you wait a month past the initial three months of your window, but an uninsured medical event could take your home away.

The best time to enroll is during the three calendar months just before your 65th birthday. If you were born in the middle of December, your window starts September 1st and ends November 30th of the year you turn 65.

However, if you were born on the first of the month, your window starts one month earlier. So, if you were born between November 2nd and December 1st, you should enroll during the months of August, September or October.

Question

Do you have to sign up for Medicare when you turn 65? No. You can refuse Medicare if you get coverage elsewhere. However, I recommend you enroll in Part A if you don’t have to pay for it. If you delay enrolling in Part B you will save over $100 per month.

Enrolling in Medicare Before Age 65

The only way to qualify for Medicare before age 65 is to be deemed disabled by Social Security. Medicare eligibility for individuals under age 65 generally starts on the 25th month of the disability. It can start the first month Social Security disability checks arrive for a person with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

A CT Medigap plan is probably not the best choice for anyone under age 65. Only Medigap Plan A is available in this situation. This is both the most expensive option and the one that cover the least. An Advantage plan will almost certainly be a better option.

Their three-month window for a person in this situation is the three calendar months before their eligibility date.

Enrolling in Medicare After Age 65

Medicare and Employer Coverage

do you have to enroll in medicare at 65? If you decide to work after age 65 you may decide to delay enrolling in Medicare. If your health and prescription coverage is deemed “creditable,” you won’t pay a penalty so long as you coordinate the end of your group coverage with the beginning of your Medicare coverage.

What CT Medicare Insurance Coverage Should You Enroll In?

The most popular combinations are:

Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, A Medicare Supplement and a Medicare Prescription Drug plan

Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, and a Medicare Advantage Plan

There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these options. Medicare Supplement Plans (CT Medigap Plans) will give you more choices. Medicare Advantage Plans will probably cost less.

Almost every doctor will accept Medicare. So long as they do, your Medicare Supplement plan will pay their share for a visit. These plans are not network based. You can see virtually any physician or other provider in the US.

A Medicare Advantage Plan will have network restrictions. If you enroll in an HMO, you will only be able to see network doctors unless you are experiencing a medical emergency.

You can read my blog to help you decide, but a better option is to call or email me with your questions.

To help you decide, I can show you the 2017 CT Medicare Supplement Rates (or the 2018 rates when they are published.). We can also discuss the benefits of the Medicare Savings Program and QMB income limits if you think you might qualify.

Who Do You Want to Help with your CT Medicare Insurance Choices?

Choosing the right broker can make your life easier. By now, I hope you feel comfortable with me and want me to serve as your broker.

You won’t be charged for my services, but I chances are help you save a lot of time, money and aggravation.

I’ve been a licensed Connecticut broker since 1985 and have helped thousands of Connecticut families over the years. Some have been nice enough to say nice things about me on my Facebook page. I hope you will give me the opportunity to help you.

We can cover a lot of ground in a short phone conversation. I can help you answer the questions “which Medicare Supplement Plan is best for me?” But more importantly, you may get answers to critical questions you may never have thought to ask.